•^0* 




G° 



\, 1 




Lsentennial G leanings. 



' ' You have deeply ventured ; 
But all must do so who would greatly win. 



—Byron. 



4* 





New York : 
THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY, 

No. 9 WARREN STREET. 



1876. 






DEDICATION. 



&o tfie institute of ©uv 2Lao»» 

BALTIMORE, MD. 

Loved Institute, thy children place 
These gleanings now before thy shrine ; 
First fruits in lit'rature's broad field, 
We'd have them round thy name to twine. 
'Twas in thy classic halls that knowledge's fount 
First met our gaze, to lure us to the mount 
Where we might cull fair science's flow'rs, 
And pluck religion's choicest fruit. 
These gleanings now we dedicate 
To thee, Our Lady's Institute ; 
"Tis with thy name this work we now incept, 
And trust Centennial Gleanings thou'lt accept. 

Kate McCarthy, 
Minnie Mosher, 
Mamie Hoggson, 
Johanna Guntman, 
Blanche Thompson, 
Fannie Bond. 



PREFACE. 



C hanges vast, and quick succeeding, 

E 'er on Hist'ry's page we find, 

N oting rise and fall of nations, 

T ypical of public mind 

E 'er desiring something novel. 

N o\v a century has flown, 

N oting years of independence, 

I n which stars and stripes have grown, 

A nd the eagle's spread his pinions 

L arger o'er the States' dominions. 

Great the triumphs of that century: 

L etters, statesmanship, and art, 

E ach bears witness to its grandeur 

A nd the joy it did impart. 

N ow these gleanings here we offer 

I n this great Centennial year. 

N ow we pray: With eye of critics 

G lance not on these gleanings here, 

S ince it is Centennial year. 



CONTENTS 



CENTENNIAL POEMS. 






PAGE 


Acrostic, ...... 


13 


The Centennial, 






14 


Centennial Vision, . 






18 


Centennial Spring, . 






21 


The Centennial Wind, 






23 


The Centennial Snow-Storm, 






27 


The Centennial Excursion, 




. 


29 


Flags of all Nations, 






3 2 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 



For something Higher I've been Born, 


(>5 


The Shepherd, 








66 


Baby Bernard, 








68 


The One Want, 








69 


Greeting to Home, • 








7i 


Change, . 








73 


" Thou too, my Son?" 








74 


Reflections, 








77 



Contents. 



Upwards, 

Gifts, 

Watching, 

Patience, 

The Dial of Flowers, 

The Rainbow, 

Hope,. 

True Honors, . 

The creeping Shadow, 

Fame, 

Life's Kaleidoscope, 

An Indian Legend, 

Baby's Death, 

My Flower-Garden, 

Cigars and Men, 

My Grandpapa, 

Whisperings of Flowers, 

Transientness, 

The Warrior's Vow, 

If We Would, . 

The Forget-me-not, 

Wawa, 

Stray Arrows, 

The Snow-Flake, 

The Maniac, . 

Reconciliation, 

The Bouquet, . 



Contents. 




9 

PAGE 


My Native Bay, 




I 4 I 


My Southern Home, 




H3 


Epithalamium with Flowers, . 




I46 


The Children in the Woods, . 




I48 


Leaves from Nature, 




I5 2 


Valor and Virtue, . 


. 


156 


Dreams of the Past, 


• 


158 


Why has the Good Being spared me 


so long? 


l6o 


Smiles, ..... 


• 


162 


Reliance, .... 




164 


Pictures in the Clouds, . 


. 


168 


Voices in the Shells, 




171 


The Kiss, .... 




174 


The Mother's Watch. 




176 


Little Paul, .... 




180 


Silent Cities, .... 




182 


Some Cheerful Spot, 




187 


No More, ... 


. 


188 



CENTENNIAL POEMS. 



POEMS 



C heerfully greet her, the Queen of the 

West! 
E cho her name — 'tis the brightest and best. 
N ever a blot stains her brilliant white, 
T owering now in her grand, youthful might. 
E v'ry true heart must admire the young 

land, 
N ow as in beauty most rare does she stand ; 
N ow view most glorious lovalty's cheer 
I n this the Union's centennial year. 
All greet her joyously in her renown; 
L ove forms our bondage, and love forms 

her crown. 

Minnie Mosher. 



THE CENTENNIAL. 

One hundred years ago to-day, 

In Philadelphia's hall, 
America's most noble sons 

Obeyed their country's call. 

One hundred years ago they signed 

Her independence there, 
Then fought as men for freedom's sake 

Would any hardship dare. 

And now, a cent'ry since that day, 

We'll view a nation's past ; 
We'll look o'er years of manly deeds, 

Of enterprises vast. 

Upon her brow kind Fate has placed 

The laurels few have won, 
And now she stands " Queen of the 
West," 

The land of setting sun. 



The Centennial. 15 

Rebellion's cloud did once arise 

And threaten her fair sky, 
But, crushed, it rained its awful tear 

In drops of crimson dye. 

Since then, thank God ! our nation's peace 

Still undisturbed remains, 
And North and South together stand 

To wipe away all stains. 

Our hundredth anniversary ! 

Is there a human heart 
Which, born within the Union's arms, 

Does not with rapture start ? 

Ah ! no ; each noble soul is raised 

In thanks to Him above; 
In burning eloquence it tells 

Its gratitude and love. 

What though one hundred summer suns 
Have shone upon the earth 



1 6 Centennial Poems. 

Since that bright day ; can we forget 
Our nation's glorious birth ? 

No ; though a hundred more shall roll 
O'er this our own dear land, 

Its mem ry ne'er'll be worn away, 
E'en by old Time's quicksand. 



And now, let that old bell again 
Peal forth its ringing sound ; 

Though rusted by the many years, 
'Twill make our hearts rebound. 



Twill make them think of those whose 
name, 

Recorded 'mongst the true, 
First claimed our country's honest rights — 

The brave, the noble few. 

Oh ! if those hearts which slumber now, 
Enwrapt in Death's embrace, 



The Centennial. ij 

Could rise and see their work's bright 
fruits 
Of gratitude and grace, 

Methinks they would be well repaid 

For every drop of blood 
Which started in the Union's veins 

This patriotic flood. 

Then glorious, bright Centennial, hail ! 

We greet thee with a cheer. 
Thou art a welcome, welcome day, 

Our country's hundredth year. 

Minnie Mosher. 



CENTENNIAL VISION. 

I retired to rest one evening, 
But my thoughts were occupied 

By the coming great Centennial, 
Which should put all else aside. 

Suddenly I was transported 
To the busy city's streets, 

And within old Philadelphia, 

Where the great Centennial meets. 



When I gazed in wonder round me, 
All seemed like a fairy land — 

Gardens with their lovely flowers, 
Buildings rising proud and grand. 



From the spires there floated outward 
Flags of every brilliant hue; 



Centennial Vision. 19 

All the mighty nations tendered 
Tribute to the Union true: 



From old England great inventions, 
Toys of wondrous make from France, 

Paintings Italy has sent us, 

Which the gazers soul entrance. 

Brussels sent her finest laces, 
India shawls of brightest hue, 

And the products of each nation 
'Twas like magic work to view. 

But I waited, with impatience, 

For the Independence bell ; 
Soon the crowd began to waver, 

And a murmur 'gan to swell. 

Ev'ry eye was on the belfry, 

Watching all the movements there; 

Ah ! the bell is pealing grandly 
" Liberty " upon the air. 



20 Centennial Poems. 

Ev'ry moment louder, louder 
Do the joyous echoes swell. 

Why! I wake, and what is ringing? 
Tis the good old breakfast-bell. 

Minnie Mosher. 



CENTENNIAL SPRING. 

I had waited and watched for centennial 
spring, 
And at last came the vigil, dark; 
For old Winter, with tears, was now bid- 
ding adieu, 
On eternity's shore to embark. 

Yes, he wailed while the shadows envelop- 
ed the earth, 
But at morning's approach he fled, 
And the loveliest Spring, with her bril- 
liant skies, 
O'er our earth in her beauty sped. 

But her mantle, as token of Winter's es- 
teem, 
Had been tipped with his ermine white. 
Her light breath has not banished the stern 
Winter's cold, 
Nor awakened the daisies bright. 



22 Centennial Poems. 

But her throne will be soon quite surround- 
ed by flow'rs, 
Her fair subjects from fairy home ; 
For her voice will recall the fair wander- 
ers back 
That in winter with elfins roam. 

Thus we hope the centennial spring will 
impart 
The most balmy and pleasant days ; 
We will hope it may prove to be such as 
the bard 
E'er records in immortal lays. 

Minnie Mosher. 



THE CENTENNIAL WIND. 

The restless throng was stilled at last, 
In slumber's mantle wrapped, 

When Boreas blew an angry blast 
And loud his pinions flapped. 

On Wednesday, eighteen seventy-six, 
The hour was half-past two, 

He left his kingdom in the West 
And o'er our brig-lit land flew. 

He viewed, in jealous rage, the calm 
Which rested o'er the world. 

He vowed he would its peace destroy, 
And so his flag unfurled. 

Kept from the house by fastened doors, 

He howled in fury round, 
And many homes, to slake his thirst, 

Were razed unto the ground. 



24 Centennial Poems. 

Destruction marked his pathway dread ; 

All fled before his might 
As flees before Aurora s car 

The murky shades of night. 



He dipped his pinions in the main, 
Till, furious, it would shriek ; 

Still, from this course he'd not refrain, 
But new destruction seek. 



The wild white waves leaped mountain- 
high 

Before his mighty breath ; 
The burden of his fearful song 

Was ruin, blood, and death. 



He tossed the groaning ships upon 

The billow's raging crest ; 
Their crews, to still the Storm King's ire, 

Slept in the ocean's breast. 



The Centennial Wind. 25 

And though those ships fled from his 
might, 

Yet still he them pursued, 
And left the waves, once foamy white, 

With crimson gore imbued. 



The gull flew not from rocky nest, 

But to the cliffs he crept ; 
For those who braved the Storm King 
then 

Were to destruction swept. 



The tyrant Death rode with the wind, 
And reaped a harvest rare ; 

The wind swept down the victims, and 
Grim Death them gathered there. 



On sea and land, with furious stride, 

Inspiring all with dread, 
He flew o'er ocean, and the vale 

With hasty steps he tread. 



26 Centennial Poems. 

And this was our Centennial wind, 
Which so much mischief did; 

But now the satiated king 
In Western realms is hid. 

Minnie Mosher. 



THE CENTENNIAL SNOW-STORM. 

Like unto the dust that dances 
In the sun's most brilliant ray, 

So the snow fell softly, slowly, 
While the earth in slumber lay. 

It kept falling thicker, faster, 
During all that starless night, 

Till with many little snow-flakes 
It had robed in spotless white 

This great earth with all its grandeur, 
All its woods and forests bold, 

Ev'ry little grove and grotto, 

Ev'rything with shape and mould. 

Oh ! how beautiful was nature 

When the brilliant sun rose high, 

Sending forth his golden sunbeams 
From the blue and azure sky. 



28 Centennial Poems. 

All day long the tinkle, tinkle, 

Of the sleigh-bells could be heard, 

And on pinions, slight and tender, 

Flew the gray, bright-eyed snow-bird. 

Shouts of merry laughter ringing 
Forth upon the winter morn, 

With the pattering of footsteps, 
Brought to us new pleasure born. 

Lovely, lovely was the snow-storm, 
And it shall remembered be ; 

For in ev'ry little snow-flake 
The Centennial we did see. 

Mamie Hoggson. 



THE CENTENNIAL EXCURSION. 

How often in this life of pain 
Does pleasure s form appear ! 

How much more in this time of fame, 
This great Centennial year ! 



So thought our honest Mr. P- 
As, rocking to and fro, 



He read of an excursion grand, 
And thought, of course, he'd go. 

For he was getting old and gray, 

And he was well-to-do ; 
But yet the word " excursion," why, 

To him was something new. 

So, when the morning dawned so bright, 

He and his family great. 
In haste, the steamer went to meet, 

For fear they should be late. 



3° 



Centennial Poems. 

Arriving at the harbor gay, 
They entered, with great care, 

A steamer anchored at the shore, 
And paid the round trip fare. 

And when the noble steamer rushed 
Amid the waves with speed, 

His wife said all was beautiful;, 
What more could mortals need ? 

But when the wished-for hour of lunch 
Came round, as e'er it does, 

They all seemed tired, and hungry too, 
And cast dark looks at those 

Who were partaking joyfully 

Of sandwiches and pies, 
And chicken cold, and brandy-punch, 

Prepared by loving wives. 

And Mrs. P broke out at last, 

In words of angry scorn, 



The Centennial Excursion. 31 

And wished to know why luncheon was 
Not served to them in turn. 

A neighbor sitting at her right 
Said that she did not know, 

But thought with money she could buy 
Her luncheon down below. 

Now, Mr. P , dear soul ! had read 

Of an excursion free, 
And thought, of course, in this one too, 

They'd furnish food in fee. 

But they were disappointed sad ; 

Their pleasure turned to pain ; 
While Mr. P in rage declared 

He'd never go again. 

M. HOGGSON. 



FLAGS OF ALL NATLONS. 
FATE. 

Each nation and each heart alike 

Is governed by my hand ; 
My sway extends o'er all the earth, 

In every clime and land. 

To some, I grant a victor's crown ; 

To others, slavery's chain ; 
Some hearts I cheer with love and light, 

I others crush with pain. 

My finger points the divers ways 

In which all mortals tread ; 
Though e'er invisible myself, 

My frown is held in dread. 

But justice, hand in hand with me, 
Controls each war, each state ; 



Flags of all Nations. 33 

All here on earth my will obey — 
My name is known as " Fate." 

Tis now your pleasure I attend, 
Not as a judge, but as a friend; 

Unto your view I first will call 
The youngest nation of them all. 



UNITED STATES. 

Tis at your bidding, Fate, I come 

My hist 'ry to recount ; 
And I, though unrenowned by age, 

Am Liberty's sweet fount. 

Before a white man's foot had trod 
Upon my long-sought shore, 

E'en though the savage only knew, 
'Twas rich in golden ore. 

E'en though 'twas only savage voice 
Which rose, O God ! to Thee, 



34 Centennial Poems. 

Yet that rude voice proclaimed aloud : 
" This land is for the free." 

I was not then a nation strong ; 

No, 'twas before my birth ; 
But now I stand, through struggles fierce, 

A mighty one on earth. 

Now, dearest friends, my progress swift 

I will to you unfold ; 
My years are full of enterprise, 

Though just one hundred old. 

Oh ! yes, this next July will bring 

The anniversVy dear ; 
And I will have completed then 

My first one hundredth year. 

Oh ! thanks to those brave, noble men 

Who gave for me their all ; 
They wear a crown of fame most bright, 

Which ne'er shall fade nor fall. 



Flags of all Nations. 3 5 

All thanks to God, whose mighty will 

Inspired their faithful hearts 
With love for freedom, and the joy 

Which her great cause imparts. 

Though youngest I 'mong nations stand 
On earth's great bosom wide, 

My commerce whitens every sea, 
My ships rise with the tide. 

Of destiny, e'en Albion, 

Long mistress of the sea, 
Hath found with her transplanted child 

A worthy rivalry. 

Adversity's o'er-shadowing cloud 
My eagle's beak pierced through, 

And from the opening shone the stars 
With Red and White and Blue. 



FATE. 

Italia fair, I summon thee : 
Appear and give thy history. 



36 Centennial Poems, 



ITALY. 



From sunny skies I come, O Fate! 

Your summons I obey, 
And though the mighty waves divide, 

You called — I could not stay. 



What nation on this mighty globe 
Can boast of arts like mine ? 

What nation sent forth men so great ?- 
Men noble and divine. 



What other soil gave Angelo, 
Or witnessed Raphael's birth ? 

The answer thunders echo forth 
Is: "None upon the earth." 



I've giv'n religion its divines, 
The world its finest arts, 

And science's o'ermastering power 
From my bright land ne'er parts. 



Flags of all Nations. 3 7 

Look o'er the worlds expanse, and find 

One other who can claim 
A child in Galileo, or 

A rival to his name. 

From Alpine heights to southern plains 
My soil with verdure teems ; 

O'er all my lakes' serene expanse 
The sun casts brightest beams. 

But more than grand old castle walls 

Or art sublime and fair, 
I wave o'er that which none can claim — 

The great St. Peter's chair. 

FATE. 

Bright France, I now will call on thee: 
Appear, recount thy history. 

FRANCE. 

Fair lilies bearing, Fate, I come; 
To thy command I bow ; 



38 Centennial Poems. 

For thou in kindness hast entwined 
The laurel round my brow. 

My eagle bright was born amid 
The northern Russia's snows, 

But thou, kind Fate, recalled it home,. 
Then placed it safe from foes, 

Between the Alps and Pyrenees, 
Which stand like giants gaunt, 

To guard them from invasion's force 
And from the scourge of want. 

Among my marshalled hosts there rode: 

King Henry of Navarre ; 
His plume, as white as winter's snow y ., 

Was e'er a guiding star. 

The greatest warrior of the earth 
Called me his native land — ■ 

Napoleon, mighty emperor ! 

Whose conquests half so grand? 



Flags of all Nations. 39 

Though his bright deeds of war will live 

In hist'ry many an age, 
Yet Louis, saint of God, shall dwell 

In mem'ry's sacred page. 

FATE. 

Fair Switzerland, I bid thee come 
And leave awhile thy mountain home. 

SWITZERLAND. 

From Alpine heights, O Fate ! I come 

Thy bidding to obey ; 
My mountains echoed thy commands 

Which bade me haste away. 

Enshrined within each grateful heart 
Are names of true and brave, 

Whose life-blood flowed in torrents red, 
Their liberty to save. 

While mem'ry lasts shall William Tell 
Within her portals stay ; 



40 Centennial Poems, 

And Arnold Winkelried will live 
Though nations pass away. 

Yes, names of noble men like those 

Can never, never die 
While one mount rears its snow-crown- 
ed head 

So proudly tow'rd the sky. 

'Twas Nature's bulwarks aided them 

To break the despot's rod; 
And so we bless Thee for their strength, 

"Our God, our fathers God." 

FATE. 

I bid thee, England, now appear: 
Recount thy varied hist'ry here. 

ENGLAND. 

O Fate ! at thy command I come, 

For all thee must obey ; 
The cable resting 'neath the waves 

Thy summons did convey. \ 



Flags of all Nations. 41 

When first attempted Caesar's force 

My country to subdue, 
The Druid priests held worship 'neath 

My oaks of verdant hue. 

Since then, beneath the Saxon's sway, 
Great men have worn the crown ; 

And hist'ry tells of Alfred's deeds, 
Which won undimmed renown. 

Then Edmund, surnamed Ironside, 

Had tried in vain to stay 
The ebbing tide of fortune's sea, 

But soon the Danes held sway. 

From Danish rule regained at last, 
The Conqueror William came, 

Displaying all his wond'rous deeds 
Of daring and of fame. 

The Henries, Richards, Edwards — all 
Have reigned with varying pow'r ; 



42 Centennial Poems. 

And I from barb'rous state arose 
In fortune's favored hour. 

Now ev'ry sea rny vessels toss, 

They sail to every land; 
Rich furs they bring from Northern shores, 

Bright gold from India's strand. 

Refinement, arts, and sciences, 
Within my bound'ries dwell ; 

And scarce a nation of the earth 
Has prospered half so well. 

Now marked success- attends my steps; 

The cause full well is known : 
Victoria, just and gentle queen, 

Does occupy my throne. 



FATE. 

Fair Germany, I bid thee haste ! 
And tell of names thy hist'ry graced. 



Flags of all Nations. 43 

GERMANY. 

I come, O Fate ! at thy command, 

Replete with triumph rare, 
Thrice noted for my noble sons 

And for my daughters fair. 

Within my bound'ries Beethoven 

And gifted Haydn dwelt, 
With Mozart, Muses' favored ones, 

Around my altars knelt. 

I'm Goethe's honored native land ; 

The land of Schiller's birth — 
Both names of poets, Heav'n-inspired, 

Whose fame extends o'er earth. 

Great warriors, too, have held my throne, 
Whose deeds of fame resound. 

What braver man than Otho First 
Has ever yet been found ? 

"Though clouds of infidelity 
Now darken my domain, 



44 Centennial Poems. 

We'll hope that Heav'n's light soon will 
come 
And lighten all again. 

FATE. 

Hispania, Fate does summon thee I 
Approach and tell thy history. 

SPAIN. 

Kind Fate, I come at thy command, 

To thee am I resigned ; 
For thou amid my raven hair 

Hast verdant laurel twined. 

My hist'ry is replete with names 
Most noble, brave, and great, 

Who died in Moorish wars, to save 
Religion and the state. 

The names of Isabella, queen, 

And Ferdinand, the king, 
Will live in mem'rys sacred hall 

While still her echoes ring. 



Flags of all Nations. 45 

Columbus from my shores embarked 
To seek an unknown sphere ; 

Now famed America's brave sons 
Will e'er his name revere, 

And it will ring through cent'ries vast 
When famous ones shall die, 

And children learn to lisp it low, 
Though he in dust doth lie. 

FATE. 

From frosty regions, Russia, come ! 
And tell the history of thy home. 

RUSSIA. 

From snowy heights, O Fate ! I haste 

To tell my hist'ry now ; 
For I must thy commands obey, 

And at thy bidding bow. 

Beneath obscurity's dark veil 
My earliest records lie ; 



46 Centennial Poems. 

And naught can I reveal to man 
Of primal history. 

But I of honored names can boast : 

The first is Peter Great, 
Who did refinement introduce 

Into my Northern state. 

Successfully, Elizabeth 

Has reigned upon my throne ; 
And e'en in Britain's bound'ries vast 

Her name and deeds were known. 

Napoleon, when he sought to place 
His eagles 'midst my snows, 

Was met by noble men and brave, 
Who fought their country's foes. 

Then Moscow, city famed for wealth, 
Was razed unto the ground; 

Napoleon's army booty sought, 
But death and famine found. 



Flags of all Nations. 47 

Thus was foiled that warrior great, 

By simple Russian men ; 
And thus we'll foil invasion's force, 

Whene'er it comes again. 

FATE. 

China ! Fate now bids thee come : 
Recount the history of thy home. 

CHINA. 

1 come obedient, Fate, to thee, 
From my enclosing wall ; 

And though it braves both friends and 
foes, 
It ne'er resists thy call. 

My origin I cannot tell, 

Nor whence my people came; 

Though in tradition it is said : 
"They are Ham's sons of fame." 

In my domain are arts, unknown 
To other lands of earth ; 



48 Centennial Poems. 

And some have thought my kingdom 
was 
The cradle of man's birth. 

My sons have known but heathen gods. 
And unto them have prayed; 

Before Idolatry's false throne 
Their homage has been laid. 

But noble men endeavor now 

To bring them to the One 
Who died, for all on Calv'ry's mount — 

The true God's only Son. 

They save the helpless, pretty babes 
From Death's cold, dark embrace ; 

They wash away the stain of sin, 
Restore God's strengthening grace. 

And thanks we tender to the ones 

Who aid to us have given. 
We bless the Holy Childhood dear; 

It fosters hopes of Heav'n. 



Flags of all Nations. 49 

" Our Lady's Institute" has sent 

Great help in sorest need ; 
And it will prosper well, for God 

Rewards each noble deed. 

FATE. 

To thee I call, O India fair ! 
Appear, recount thy merits rare. 

INDIA. 

Fate, to thee I homage pay ; 
Thou dost call, and I obey. 
Rich in jewels bright and rare, 
Coral red entwines my hair ; 
Pearls are taken from my strand, 
Rivers course o'er golden sand ; 
From my jungles, deep and gay, 
Tigers spring upon their prey ; 
Brightest flowers deck my breast, 
And the moon's entrancing crest 
Throws her gentle, silv'ry beams 
O'er the rippling, murmuring streams ; 



50 Centennial Poems. 

And my shawls, of softest folds, 
E'er envelop graceful moulds ; 
Ladies, of far-distant lands, 
For my cashmeres send demands ; 
Warbling birds, of plumage bright, 
Flit like passing gleams of light ; 
And the fairest things of earth 
In my bosom have their birth. 

FATE. 

Now, Egypt, come from Afric s coast ; 
Of many wonders thou canst boast ! 

EGYPT. 

Thou hast called me from my dwelling 
'Neath the sun of Afric's skies, 

And to thee old Egypt's standard 
On the wings of duty flies. 

Thou, O Fate ! hast truly spoken : 
Wond'rous is my far-famed land ; 



Flags of all Nations, 5 1 

By the favored breath of fortune 
Has my brow so oft been fanned. 

Long before the Christian era 
Rose the Pyramids on high, 

Seeming, in their lofty grandeur, 
Giants from the beaming sky. 

Many spires which grace Rome's arches 
First were taken from my shore ; 

And my land was sought by scholars, 
Ancient legends to explore. 

m 

Hist'ry tells of many heroes, 
Who my throne have occupied, 

Who have, in the by-gone cent'ries, 
All invasion's force defied. 

Mizraim was my well-known founder, 
And his name will e'er be known 

While they tell of ancient grandeur — 
Egypt's grandeur which has flown. 



52 Centennial Poems. 

There's a city still remaining 
Bearing Alexander's name ; 

Tis a monument of triumph, 
'Tis a monument of fame. 

Fair Octavia's rival princess 
Was a native of my land ; 

She, the far-famed Cleopatra, 

Reigned with firm, unwav'ring hand. 

But my glory all departed ; 

Only ruins now are left. 
Time has given no fresh laurels, 

Yet of fame I'm not bereft. 

FATE. 

The countries present, future, past, 
Have come at my command : 

The Union future, Asia past, 
And Europe present land. 

The one which now I call to you 
Doth own not mortal sway, 



Flags of all Nations. 53 

But flag of faith, religion's light, 
I bid appear to-day. 

ROME. 

Bearing a banner of holy renown, 

Fate, I obey thee to-day ; 
Hearing thy call, in my Roman domain, 

Hastily sped I away. 

Men with the noblest and purest of hearts 
Own me their only true guide ; 

Martyrs have proven their faith in my 
truths, 
Giving for this life's red tide. 

Mine not the fame of the warrior's deeds ; 

Mine is the conquest of sin ; 
Mine is the task of the saving of souls, 

Hearts for our dear Lord to win. 

This is the port where unfortunate ones, 

Wrecked on the waters of life, 

5 



54 Centennial Poems, 

Find the sweet rest long denied them — 
Rest from the toils and the strife. 

This is the beacon e'er shining so clear 
Lighting the world with its beams, 

Teaching how fickle and false is the show 
Here in this fleeting life's dreams. 

This is the rock which shall stand ever 
firm 

'Gainst the approach of the foe ; 
Never, oh ! never will these colors droop, 

Ne'er will they falter below ! 

God ever watches it ; God will protect. 

Naught can this flag overwhelm. 
Lightly it bounds o'er the billowy sea ; 

Pius the Ninth holds the helm. 

This is the anchor of all faithful souls ; 

It will support us in grief, 
It will revive us whose poor broken 
hearts 

Pine for sweet rest and relief. 



Flags of all Nations, 55 

This is His cross ; we'll receive it on earth, 
Bear it in faith e'er and e'er ; 

Though 'tis reviled by the worldly and 
vain, 
Love it! Forsake it? Oh! ne'er. 

This is the crown, the reward of the 
good; 

It is the jewel most bright ; 
It shall be worn by the joyous and blest 

There in the realms of God's light. 

This is our all-in-all here in the world; 

This is a treasure most dear ; 
This is the cross and the anchor and 
crown ; 

This is the beacon most clear. 



LIBERTY. 

Lastly, kind Fate, I would join your bright 
band ; 
Here I would speak to my favorite child. 



56 Centennial Poems, 

Union Columbia, I've watched o'er thee e'er. 
Thou whom no tyrant hast ever defiled. 

Hail to thee ! land of the free and the brave ; 

Liberty joyously greets thee to-day. 
Thou thy centennial this year hast attained, 

Safe from the wrecks of each warfare 
and fray. 



Maine, thy true daughter, who dwells irs 
the North, 
Sends, with New Hampshire, a greet- 
ing to thee ; 
Faithful Vermont, Massachusetts, and Rhode 
Island small, hail thee the land of the free. 



Fertile Connecticut joins with New York, 
Sending obedience, allegiance, and love ; 

Delaware greets thee, and prays that our Lord 
Blessing will send from His kingdom 
above. 



Flags of all Nations. 57 

Old Pennsylvania, whose Quakerland town 
First sent the tidings of liberty forth, 

Now greets thee joyously in thy renown, 
Hailing thy justly-acknowledged great 
worth. 



Favored New Jersey, with Maryland bright, 
Thee will congratulate heartily now. 

Eastern and Western Virginia unto 

Thee their e'erlasting submission will vow. 

Northern and Southern Car'lina, too, send 
Greetings to thee for thy first hundredth 
year. 

Georgia and Florida join in the band, 
Wishing their mother the happiest cheer. 

Fair Alabama, with Tennessee too, 

Tenders her greetings to thee on this day. 

True Mississippi and Texas so large, 
Fain their kind wishes to thee would 
convey 



58 Centennial Poems. 

Wealthy Arkansas, Ohio too, e'er 

Would thee congratulate loving and kind. 

Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, send their 

Greetings, with other State sisters com- 
bined. 



Louisiana, rich State, too, will give 
All her allegiance and love unto thee. 

Star of the West — Minnesota — with joy, 
Sends, with Missouri, her love to the free. 



Rich California, adorned with bright gold ; 

Oregon, lashed by the ocean so blue; 
Western Nevada, all join with the rest, 

Tendering wishes sincere and so true. 



Bright Illinois, Indiana, and all 

Will thee congratulate lovingly now. 

Modest Nebraska, Kentucky too, will 
Twine, with Wisconsin, a wreath for thy 
brow. 



Flags of all Nations, 59 

Union, 'tis God who protects all below; 

He it was guided my wandering choice. 
I have thee favored, obedient in all 

E'er to the sound of His Majesty's 
voice. 

Now will I give thee true guardian ones, 
Who will me aid in e'er watching o'er 
thee ; 
Justice, the first, will protect all thy deeds, 
Keeping them safe, and from injury 
free. 

Purity in all thy laws next appears, 
Ever preventing all fraud and deceit. 

Vict'ry in war will, too, aid in thy cause, 
And thy bright guardian spirits complete. 

Thrice I have crowned thee with victory's 
wreath ; 

Now I will crown thee a hundred years old. 
May you for e'er persevere in right's path, 

Never, oh ! never in virtue grow cold. 



60 Centennial Poems. 

Now to Him our Father kind, 
Reigning high in Heav'n above, 

Let us sing of one accord 

Hymns of gratitude and love. 

M. MOSHER. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS, 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 



FOR SOMETHING HIGHER FVE BEEN 
BORN. 

To Wisdom's realm I dive within my mind, 
And there my troubled thoughts oft cite ; 
And when within its secret cave, I find 

That like the eagle's was my flight. 
For naught would I there gain, save shame 

and scorn, 
Then thought: For something higher I've 
been born. 

Sweet music, borne on playful zephyrs 
wings, 
With rapture comes from fairy lands ; 
Bright thoughts of happy, perfumed flow'rs 
it brings, 
And thus my fevered brow it fans. 



64 Miscellaneous Poems. 

But when I wake from this my dream of 

bliss, 
With joy I ask : Am I, then, born for this ? 

I've wandered over fields in verdure clad ; 

The fairies' magic ring I've seen. 
These cheerful sights filled me with rapture 
glad, 
All things on earth were so serene ; 
But when I found each rose become a thorn, 
Thought I : For something higher I've been 
born ! 

Where will I find that for which I was born — 
The glory, greatness, wisdom, fame ? 

Where will I find that for which I oft mourn, 
And seek for so often in vain ? 

Show me the path, though it has many a 
thorn, 

Where I may find that for which I was born. 

Oh ! look thou unto yon fair, beauteous sky 
Where twinkling stars their shadows cast 



For something Higher Fve been Born. 65 

Where no storms rage, but brightness e'er 

does lie, 
And spring eternally does last, 
And high in yonder realms of brightest 

morn 
Thou'll find thy God, for whom thou hast 

been born. 

Kate McCarthy. 



THE SHEPHERD. 

Dedicated, as a mark of ever-deepening gratitude, to our friend and 
instructor, Rev. F. L. 

There's a fold of little lambs, 
And a shepherd true and kind; 

With a cord of virtues woof 
Lovingly each one he'll bind. 

Each one knows his tender voice, 
Each one cherishes his smile ; 

And the shepherd prays the Lord : 
" Keep them, Master, free from guile." 

Like the sunlight on the vale 

Is his presence to the fold ; 
Gladdens he each trusting heart 

By his look of peace untold. 

In the meadow Piety 

He is guarding them with care ; 



The Shepherd. 67 



He it is who leads the way 
To the sacred golden stair. 



If, perchance, a drop of grief 

They receive from Fate's dark palm, 

How his words of comfort fall 
Like a dew of sweetest balm ! 



Kindly, fondly cheers he all, 

Till their hearts are beating gay ; 

But he watches carefully, 
Keeping wolf of vice away. 

Thus the shepherd tends his fold, 
Watching all, that none may rove 

Loved by ev'ry lamb-like heart 
In Our Lady's school of love. 



BABY BERNARD. 

Like a beam of heavens sunlight 
Came he to our earth one day, 

But his mother, kind and gentle, 
Passed, to fill his place, away. 

Tiny eyes, like little vi'lets, 
Seem a part of heavens hue, 

Stolen from the azure mantle 

Of the sky's bright robe of blue. 



Little cheeks so soft and rosy, 
As if taken from the morn ; 

Oh ! our little Baby Bernard 
Is the sweetest ever born. 

M. MOSHER. 



THE ONE WANT. 

Whate'er our station is in life, 
Be it in courtly halls of state 

Or homes where poverty is rife, 

There is a want we crave from fate. 

The happiness of each doth want 
One thing to render it complete ; 

This want doth ever rise to taunt 
The soul in hours of thought most 
sweet. 

By me that want is keenly felt : 
It is to know a mother's love, 

And by that mother be caressed 
Who's now, alas ! in heaven above. 

'Mid scenes of pleasure and of mirth 
That mother's face doth oft arise ; 

To thoughts of sadness it gives birth, 
And tears flow quickly from mine eyes. 



*jo Miscellaneous Poems. 

Though I may live full many a year, 
That want will never be suppressed, 

But wax e'er stronger as I near 

That home where dwells my mother 
blessed. 

Friends I may meet both true and dear, 
To them be bound by friendship's^tie ; 

Still, they cannot be half as near 
As she who in her grave doth lie. 

This one great want will still remain 
With me where'er on earth I roam; 

But it, at last, I will obtain, 

In that my destined heavenly home. 

K. McCarthy. 



GREETING TO HOME. 

Be thou greeted, my childhood's fond home ! 

Thy long absented one doth thee greet; 
Fervent pray'rs rise in thanks to God's 
throne 

That I can thy loved soil again meet. 

'Twas my love for vain glory that drove 
Me abroad o'er strange countries to roam, 

But when absent from loved ones, I found 
I was wishing myself e'er at home. 

The gay world offers much unto men — 
Fame, position, wealth, honor, and show ; 

But it cannot bestow that sweet peace 
Which we'll find at our fireside, we know. 

Here I'll rest from all cares of the world ; 

Here my bosom I'll free from all strife ; 
Here, in quiet and peace, I will dwell, 

And end here, if God wills it, my life. 



72 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Be thou greeted, my childhood's fond home F 
Thy long absented one doth thee greet ; 

Fervent pray'rs rise in thanks to God's 
throne, 
That I can thy loved soil again meet. 

K. McCarthy. 



CHANGE. 

Scarce had the tiny seedling sank 
Into the furrowed earth's brown lap, 

When unto it God's flat came, 

And flowers sprang from the seedling's 
sap. 

Scarce had the trees put forth their leaves 
Ere they a cover wore of rust ; 

'Tis thus with man — to-day he lives, 
To-morrow's changed to silent dust, 

With merry peals the bells are rung 
When man first enters on this life, 

But heavy, tolling sounds announce 
When he has passed beyond all strife. 

Life's hill we mount, and then descend ; 

Our life is short, we pass away ; 
A change takes place within the soul, 

A change from darkness unto day. 

K. McCarthy. 



" THOU TOO, MY SON?" 

One of Rome's most noble hearts, 
Pierced by treachery's poisoned darts, 
Fighting still in self-defence, 
Groans in agony intense : 

"Thou too, my son?" 

This was Csesar 1 s last lament, 
Strength was e'en then almost spent ; 
But when Brutus traitor proved, 
Caesar gasped to him he loved : 

" Thou too, my son?" 

Brutus slaked in blood his thirst, 
And he fled, Cain's mark accursed 
Fixed upon his faithless heart. 
Still those words deep wound impart : 
" Thou too, my son ? " 

In the battle's cannon roars, 

Loud waves lashing rock-bound shores, 



''Thou too, my Son ?* 75 

As a vengeance just and meet, 
Echoing these words, replete : 

"Thou too, my son?" 

But a treach'ry still more deep, 
Caused our blessed Lord to weep 
Tears of sorrow and regret, 
As He said, so mildly yet : 

"Thou too, my son?" 

'Twas the look of Jesus' eyes, 
'Twas His sad, reproachful sighs, 
Which revealed His bursting heart. 
Oh ! what love those words impart : 

11 Thou too, my son ? " 

Piercing Judas' inmost soul, 
Hast'ning him on to the goal 
In a suicidal grave. 

From these words, but death can save: 
" Thou too my son ? " 

What, the falt'ring one recalled, 
When by threat'ning dire appalled, 



j6 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Peter did his Lord deny ? 

'Twas His look joined with a sigh: 

" Thou too, my son ? " 
/ . 
At the altar, when the skies 

Checkered were with rainbow dyes, 
Knelt a pure and holy boy ; 
Whom our Lord addressed with joy : 
" Thou too, my son ! " 

But in after years of life, 
Fall'n from grace in earthly strife, 
Does he hear God's gentle voice ? 
Now lamenting his sad choice : 

"Thou too, my sou?" 

And when any mortal falls, 
Thus our Heavenly Father calls. 
Let us heed reproach so mild, 
And become again His child ; 
He'll then say, when life is past, 
" Enter in my joys at last : 

Thou too, my son ! " 

Minnie Mosher. 



REFLECTIONS. 

The sable shadows of the eve 
Were warning day to close, 

And all the earth seemed dark and drear 
Enough to seek repose. 

And I my heated, throbbing brow 
Pressed close upon the pane, 

To watch the heavy, low'ring clouds 
That sprinkled down the rain. 

All day the dull and ceaseless splash 

Was heard upon the pave, 
While out within the cold church-yard 

It trickled down each grave. 

How lonely, drear, and sorrowful 

All things to me did look, 
As forth into the starless night 

A hurried gaze I took ! 



78 Miscellaneous Poems. 

The distant spires rose dim and vague 

In each uncertain light, 
That flickered through the darkness of 

The cold and stormy night. 

What strange and moody thoughts arise 
In such a deep, cold gloom, 

The very breath we draw seems like 
'Tis from the damp, cold tomb ! 

Reflections such in life oft come 

Of dark and gloomy cast, 
The thought of which returns to bring 

Sad mem Vies of the past. 

Alas ! these mem'ries often prove 
To be with anguish fraught, 

So keen that in our hearts they leave 
A wound healed up by naught. 

Blanche Thompson. 



UP WARDS. 

Your spirit, does it ever wage 

Against your body warfare strong? 

Would you this warfare overcome, 

And win the prize for which you long ? 

Learn, then, to walk in God's most holy 
way, 

And die unto the sinful world each day. 

Die each false hope or happiness 

That like unto a fog obscures 
The light which is to guide us on, 

And down to death the soul allures ; 
Heaven's starry, spangled vault from view 

they hide, 
And cause the soul to linger e'er outside. 

Let not vain dreams your soul mislead, 
Nor draw it off to worldly schemes, 

But ever upward turn your heart 
To where the sun in glory beams ; 



80 Miscellaneous Poems. 

For each glance turned from earth to hea- 
ven 
A jewel bright will to your crown be given. 



All schemes and plans of men grow old, 
They're cast aside like garments worn ; 
They who project them have to die, 
And from their enterprise be torn. 
What then avails their hoarded gold and 

fame, 
If on Heaven's scroll they find not their 
proud name ? 



Then upward e'er your footsteps turn : 
This world to you can offer naught 
Compared to that which Heaven holds, 

And will bestow if only sought; 
Null all your thoughts and actions here 

below, 
Unless on Heaven you your thoughts be- 
stow. 



Upwards, 8 1 

Have no desire save that to reach 
Heavens everlasting starry height; 

Strive ever for that lovely land 

Bathed always in God's dazzling light ; 

Cease not till by Heaven's incensed zephyrs 
fanned, 

Within the pearl and jasper gates you stand. 

K. McCarthy. 



GIFTS. 

Gifts are drops of purest comfort, 
They're a balm to ev'ry heart ; 

They convey, in sweetest accents, 
All the love which we'd impart. 

God our Father's gifts most precious 
Cheer us in this earthly life, 

Dear encouragements from Heaven 
Aiding us in mortal strife. 

Oh! how gifts from loving parents 
Twine themselves around our heart, 

Till 'twould rend our very heart strings 
If e'er forced from them to part. 

Gifts from friends are like the dew-drops, 
Calling fond emotions forth, 

Cooling e'en the brow of anguish ; 
Who can tell their cherished worth ? 



Gifts. S3 

E'en the smallest gifts are precious 
From the one who's ne'er forgot, 

Though it be a tiny flower 

With the words, " Forget me not." 

Cherished, precious gifts bless twofold : 
They who give and who receive ; 

E'er imparting sweetest pleasure, 
They the pain-racked brow relieve. 

M. MOSHER. 



WATCHING. 

Sitting in my humble doorway, 
Gazing out into the night, 

Listening to the stormy tumult 
With a kind of sad delight, 

Wait I for the one who comes not, 
One whose step I long to hear, 

One who, though she lingers from me, 
Still is dearest of the dear. 

Softly comes she ! Heart, be silent ! 

Dancing in triumphant pride. 
Ah ! it is a stranger's footstep, 

Gone by on the other side. 

Branches, bid your leaves be silent ! 

Stop your flowing, fretful rain ! 
Near I hear her footsteps drawing ; 

Grant, O God ! it be not vain. 



Watching. 85 

Eagerly I listen for it, 

Nearer me I hear it glide ; 
Ah ! again a stranger's footstep, 

Passing on the other side. 

O my mother ! will you never 
Come again to bless me here? 

Echo sighs: "We'll meet in Heaven! 
Here, in virtue persevere." 

Oh ! how many wait for ever 

For the steps they love so dear ; 

Wait until all hope of seeing 
Will entirely disappear. 

Johanna Guntman. 



PATIENCE. 

O Patience fair ! thou quieter of strife ! 

On thee I call, my weary heart to still. 
Thou brightest, strengthening- staff of wo- 
man's life ! 

'Tis thou alone life's saddest voids can fill. 
O virtue heaven-born ! I pray draw nigh 
And soothe my soul with thy sweet lullaby. 



Think not the virtues of the world more 

fair 
Because they show life as a colored 

dream ; 
Concealed behind the misty film they wear, 
The grave doth lie ; for they're not what 

they seem. 
In sacrifice alone we joy will find ; 
Sweet Patience ! peace bestow upon my 

mind. 



Patience. ' &J 

When in the heart of man wild storms have 
sway, 
Tis thou who stills the billows of his 
soul ; 

And when huge rocks lie scattered in his 
way, 
Thy hand these rocks from out his path 
doth roll. 

In life's swift course man oft may joy en- 
slave, 

And lets that pass, he thinks, he cannot brave. 

Life's thorny path with caution we must 
tread, 

Resigned to ev'ry trouble we may meet; 
Not battling with our souls for ev'ry dread, 

But wait until the dawn of joy most sweet; 
Have ever by our side kind Patience fair, 
And smile beneath our ev'ry woe and care. 

As angels we are sent unto the world, 
We therefore should ourselves keep free 
from strife. 



88 - Miscellaneous Poems. 

May Peace's bright banner o'er us fe'er be 

furled, 
And yon bright star e'er guide us on 

through life ! 
If ills we can't surmount, nor firmly ^ s stand, 
Sweet Patience ! lend to us thy helping hand. 

K. McCarthy. 



THE DIAL OF FLO WERS. 

What a beautiful thought 
To note time by the flowers ! 

Those dear gifts which were brought 
From God's heavenly bowers. 

When in times long gone by 
Men for dials used flowers, 

On bright wings then did fly 
Both the days and the hours. 

Certain flowers there are 
Have their time to unfold, 

And appear, like the star 
In the east, as of old. 

At each hour there are some 

In which changes appear, 
And 'tis thus they could come 

At the time all the year. 



9<d Miscellaneous Poems. 

If we thus would time mark 
How delightful 'twould seem ! 

Then to God we would hark, 
And with love for Him teem. 

With what interest we'd look 
On each flower we'd meet ; 

How we'd search ev'ry nook 
For those dials so sweet ! 

We all hope that the hours 
Of our friends from all guile 

Will be free, and that flowers 
Will alone form their dial ; 

That their journey through life 

May be pleasant and sweet, 
And with flowers be rife, 
Till in heaven we meet. 

Kate McCarthy. 



THE RAINBOW. 

High in the azure heavens, 
Its crescent bow is there, 

The Lord's fulfilling promise 
To Noah's earnest prayer. 

See how its colors mingle: 
Red, yellow, green, and blue, 

From indigo and orange 
To vi'let's tender hue. 

When lightning's vivid flashes, 
And thunder's roaring noise, 

Have been removed by Phoebus, 
All nature does rejoice. 

The proud oak is still prouder; 

The willow bends its leaves; 
And all along the meadows 

Are rustling golden sheaves. 



92 Miscellaneous Poems. 

The hoary pines are whisp'ring 
About the recent storm ; 

The flow'rets of the valley 
Are bending low their form. 

And by degrees, the heavens 
Become a golden sphere, 

All prett'ly mottled over 

With blue sky there and here. 

And then, 'mid all this splendor, 
The rainbow does come forth, 

Full brighter than Aurora, 

The light which greets the north. 

It glows from out the heavens, 

A monument of old, 
And tells to us the promise 

That was to Noah told. 

Mamie Hoggson. 



HOPE. 

Proud Jupiter, the god of gods, 
Looked down with angry mien 

Upon the friend of all mankind, 
Upon his rival keen. 

" Revenge is sweet ! " this great god 
thought ; 

" Prometheus, the good, 
Shall suffer for his noble deeds — 

Shall cool my angry mood." 

Forthwith, he sent Prometheus 

Pandora, as a bride, 
And in the cask, which she was sent, 

All mis'ry did abide. 

But Hope, the brightest star of life, 
From out the cask came last, 

To cheer us on our weary way, 
Until life shall have passed. 



94 Miscellaneous Poems. 

And ever since that ancient time 
When heathen gods prevailed, 

Hope e'er has been our guiding- star, 
Whose light has never paled. 

When darkest clouds o'ercast the sky, 
When friends and none are near. 

Then, through the heaven's angry dome, 
Its glimm'ring rays appear. 

And when we're thrown on life's great 
surge, 

And troubles us impede, 
Sweet Hope is then the only one 

Who lends her hand in need. 

And crushed ambition ne'er despairs 

While she is in the sky, 
But builds again its lofty tow'rs, 

And frames them with a sigh. 

Mamie Hoggson. 



TRUE HONORS. 

'Mong all the stations life can boast 

Deserving honor much, 
There are but three from out that host 

That I would rank as such. 



It is not rank nor glitt'ring gold 

True honors can confer ; 
But he who would these treasures hold, 

Must let no woe deter. 

By toil true honors can be gained, 

And 'tis by that alone ; 
And they who glory have attained, 

In youth its seed have sown. 

The ones who in the halls of state 
Their country's rights defend, 

And think her laws of utmost weight, 
Their road to honor wend. 



g6 Miscellaneous Poems. 

The statesmen who in heart are pure, 
And for their country's good 

All sorrows bear, all trials endure, 
Are worthy honor's food. 

Oh ! great the honor that redounds 
To statesmen good and true, 

To those who keep within the bounds 
Of God's most holy view. 

These glories great that they obtain . 

Do not fade in a day, 
In after years they still remain 

Like some bright gilded ray. 

The soldier's station, too, does gain 
True honors thick and fast; 

They make him fearless of all pain, 
And brav'ry o'er him cast. 

Oh ! surely honor is well placed 
When given to those who brave 

The ire of creatures most debased, 
That they their land may save. 



True Honors, gj 

They who upon the battle-field 
Their life's best blood do shed, 

More honor have than those who wield 
The royal power dread. 

The pensive searcher after fame 

In literature's broad field, 
Adds far more honor to his name 

Than warriors do wield. 

They who in letters gain success 

Fame's highest point obtain, 
For other honors then grow less, 

As they the laurel gain. 

By industry alone we'll gain 

The pinnacle of fame ; 
Without it, we will ne'er obtain 

In lit'rature a name. 

The laurel wreath of fame we'll find 

A joy in after years, 
In trials our aching brow 'twill bind 

And dry the fount of tears. 

K. McCarthy. 



THE CREEPING SHADOW. 

There's a shadow ever creeping 

O'er us always, waking, sleeping ; 

It is slowly, surely coming ; 

Midst the gay and busy humming, 

Midst the silent hour of midnight, 

Midst the glory of the sunlight, 

It is creeping o'er our being, 

And from it there is no fleeing. 

There's a shadow mute advancing, 

O'er our pathway ever glancing: 

'Tis Death's ebon wing e'er throwing 

Darkness o'er our way, and growing 

Darker, darker, nearer, nearer, 

As our life's stream 's flowing drearer; 

But beyond the shadow lying 

Is a light towards which we're flying, 

And when darkest shades are creeping, 

Then we'll wake where is no sleeping. 

Minnie Mosher. 



FAME. 

I saw a ray of dazzling light, 
Which all my senses thralled ; 

I found its source, but ah ! my sight 
Its brilliancy appalled. 

It was a flow'r, more beautiful 

Than I had ever known, 
A longing seized upon my heart 

To grasp it for my own. 

The path, I knew, was rugged, steep, 

But I'd the danger dare, 
For Fame was written on its crest : 

The way was Wisdom's stair. 

I thought : if I once gained the height 
The clime would be so calm, 

And I would pluck the shining flow'r, 
To bear it as a palm. 



ioo Miscellaneous Poems, 

I toiled and toiled the weary way, 
While brighter grew the light, 

Till all at once the blossom rare 
Burst full upon my sight 

But one more step— 'tis mine ! 'tis mine ! 

Ah God ! the vision's flown ; 
The thing, I toiled so hard to win, 

Has cold and empty grown. 

Though brilliant to the gazing crowd, 

To me 'tis, oh ! so dark. 
And standing there, with heavy heart, 

I hear a sound, and hark ! 

With steady tread, o'er battles' gore, 

I see a man advance ; 
He's fighting for this flow'r of fame 

With trusty sword and lance. 

His weary head is drooping low, 
He hopes refreshment here ; 

Ah! poor deluded one, how fast 
The dream will disappear. 

Minnie Mosher. 



'LIFE'S KALEIDOSCOPE. 

One night a merry, prattling child 

Received a gift with joy : 
" From papa," lisped the ruby lips ; 

" I know it is a toy." 

With eager haste she soon began 

The package then to ope, 
And lo ! she sees, with new delight, 

A bright kaleidoscope. 

This simple little toy is formed 

Of bits of colored glass, 
But when you gaze into its depths 

What wonders come to pass ! 

For ev'ry piece together clings 
And forms a brilliant sight, 

That one would almost think 'twas made 
By fairies' magic might. 



102 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Each pathway, be it e'er so drear, 
Is brightened by sweet Hope ; 

O'er ev'ry way it gently shines, 
Our life's kaleidoscope. 

What aids us here on earth to bear 
Each trouble and each frown ? 

We look through life's kaleidoscope, 
We see a heav'nly crown. 

The warrior on the battle-field 
The cannon's war will face, 

For Hope, within the distance shows, 
His own dear native place. 

And those would sink upon the way 
Who toil for honored fame, 

But life's kaleidoscope, it shows 
A stainless, deathless name. 

And why have many noble men 
Unnumbered dangers braved? 

Because, by Hope's bright ray, they see 
The souls of heathen saved. 



Lifes Kaleidoscope. 103 

Then oh ! if thou wilt deign to shine 

Upon me, gentle Hope, 
I ne'er will weary of my cross, 

But with each danger cope. 

My bark shall smoothly glide along 
Life's billowy, troubled sea, 

If I discover, through woes clouds, 
One little ray of thee. 

M. MOSHER. 



AN INDIAN LEGEND. 

With the simple Indian people 

There exists a legend old, 
And to little, prattling children 

It has oft and oft been told. 

When they'd ask, with childish wonder, 

What it was up in the sky, 
With its various colors brilliant, 

And its hues of ev'ry dye. 

Then the wrinkled, swarthy grandmas 
Said : the bow so shining there 

Was the garden of Great Spirit, 
Was His flower-garden fair. 

And when faded were the roses, 

He would take and plant them where,. 

Never dying, they would ever 

Flourish 'neath His fost'ring care. 



An Indian Legend. 105 

And the modest little vi'let, 
With its fragrant petals blue, 

Bloomed and faded here unnoticed, 
But all radiant there it grew. 

All the flow'rs of ev'ry climate 

There will flourish 'neath His care, 

Though on earth they fade and perish, 
Bloom they in His garden rare. 

M. MOSHER. 



BAB YS DEA TH. 

Our home is still and quiet; 
Friends drop a silent tear ; 
Death's form was on our threshold, 
And took our babe from here. 
Oh ! why wert thou so cruel ? 
Couldst thou not from us keep ? 
But no — the Lord has willed it ; 
Why should we mortals weep ? 
Just as the plant was budding, 
And oped its gentle leaves, 
It was removed to Heaven, 
And we were left to grieve. 
So fold his hands together, 
For they are lifeless now, 
And smooth his golden ringlets 
From off his marble brow. 
His blue eyes close so gently, 
For ne'er again will they 
Look on this world of sorrow. 
Or on the light of day. 



Babys Death, 107 

Now lay him in the churchyard, 
In his cold little tomb, 
Where flowers all the season 
Will e'er rejoice to bloom. 
Fanned by the gentle zephyrs, 
A requiem they say 
To our own little baby, 
Who lies beneath the clay. 

M. HOGGSON. 



MY FLOWER-GARDEN. 

My greatest treasures are my flow'rs, 

My pretty little flow'rs ; 
And though they are so plain and few, 

Could grace a queen's bright bow'rs. 

With little walks of pebble stone, 
And mounds of purest green, 

Decked by a crown of lovely flow'rs 
So stately and serene, 

The rose, the radiant queen of flow'rs, 

Bears high her noble head, 
While lily, pure and innocent, 

Around her perfumes shed. 

The tulip all her pride displays 

In colors bright and gay ; 
A contrast is to blue-bells pale 

The lovely flow'r of May. 



My Flower- Garden. 109 

Then eglantine and ivy twine 

With unrelenting care 
To climb the mould'ring, gray stone wall, 

And hang in clusters there. 

Then vi'let peeps, from out the green, 

With eyes of darkest blue, 
And smiles at sister daisy's garb, 

Of pink the tenderest hue. 

But I must leave my garden now 

To zephyr's gentle sway, 
To April's gentle showers of rain, 

And sunbeam's brightest ray. 

M. HOGGSON. 



10 



CIGARS AND MEN. 

Cigars and men are much alike, 
In many ways they e'er agree : 

The hard and soft by one fell stroke 
Acquaintance form, as we oft see. 

A likeness in cigars we'll find 
To human life in various ways : 

As we the former find well wrapped, 
So man is wrapped in childhood's days. 

The better quality cigar 

Is always wrapped with greatest care; 
The child of noblest family 

The finest clothes does always wear. 

Cigars and men, as they grow old, 
Their youthful strength and vigor lose r 

By age and time they're rendered weak^ 
Because deprived of Nature's dews. 



Cigars and Men. 1 1 1 

Cigars, as well as men deceive ; 

And when we look back to the past, 
We find that, that which we thought good, 

The worst of all proves at the last. 

In being, and in being not, 

A difference very great does lie ; 

Each one a high exchange must pay, 
Who on the cover casts his eye. 

The fire oft quits the new cigar, 

As ardor leaves the youthful breast; 

Awhile it burns with brightest flame, 
And then it dwells in thoughtful rest. 

As dies the light from burnt cigar, 
So fades the life-light from the heart; 

When we by sorrow are oppressed, 
And feel its ever painful dart. 

Cigars, as well as people, show, 

With all its joys and woes, the past; 



ii2 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Both unto ashes do return, 

And both kill time while they do last. 

Cigars, as well as life, enjoy ! 

But neither past fair reason crave, 
Else you, like them, will fall away, 

And pass into an early grave. 

K. McCarthy. 



MY GRANDPAPA. 

Affectionately dedicated to William Thompson. 

Far in the sunny, glorious South, 
Where balmy zephyrs blow, 

Dwells my dear, aged grandpapa, 
Away from world and foe. 

The snows of eighty winters have 
Blown swiftly o'er his head, 

And left upon his furrowed brow, 
The traces of their tread. 

His step's no longer light and brisk, 
But feeble, slow, and weak; 

His eye has lost its dazzling gleam; 
The glow gone from his cheek. 

His silv'ry locks hang o'er a brow 
That's wrinkled by dull care ; 

The flight of years have left their trace 
Upon that face once fair. 



H4 Miscellaneous Poems. 

As meteors, in the starry heavens, 
Glide slowly from our sight ; 

So his dear life is fading fast, 
As deeper falls the night. 

Those loving, wrinkled hands that oft 
Have led me when a child, 

Now weak and helpless rest upon 
His bosom, reconciled. 

I love to lean upon his chair, 
And watch his earnest gaze 

Fixed on th' eternal vaults of Heav'n, 
As to our God he prays. 

A holy calm has settled o'er 

His peaceful, happy face ; 
And in his eye there shines a light 

Which tells of Heavens own grace. 

Blanche Thompson. 



WHISPERINGS OF FLOWERS. 

Earth has a thousand tongues that swell 

In whispers soft and low, 
We hear them in the flow'ry nooks, 

And where the waters flow. 

We note them when the slender grass 

Bends to the summer air, 
Its low-toned musics scarcely heard 

By softest breezes there. 

There is a language in each flow'r 

That opens to the eye, 
A voiceless but a magic charm, 

Which in earth's blossoms lie. 

The flow ring almond, first of all, 
Brings perfume to the breeze, 

The earli'st, at the call of Spring, 
Among the green-clad trees. 



Ii6 Miscellaneous Poems, 

It whispers of that cruel one, 

Of Indiscretion's fate; 
Of trusting many, ah ! too soon, 

Alas! convinced too late. 

The wall-flow'r, clinging cheerfully 

Amidst decaying gloom, 
Bespeaks true friendship of the heart, 

In stern misfortunes doom. 

And like the twining ivy-vine, 

When all around depart, 
Fierce storms the bondage closer brings 

Of friendship round the heart. 

The little lily of the vale 

Seems sent our hearts to bless, 

E'er whispering during its short life : 
" Return of happiness." 

The musk-rose loads the ev'ning breeze 
With its own rich perfume, 



Whisperings of Flowers. 1 1 7 

Sweet incense wafting, far and near, 
From its thick clust'ring bloom. 

What brings the bright and shining glow 

The scarlet poppy wears ? 
A consolation for our griefs, 

A solace for our cares. 

The ancients wreathed the brow of sleep 

With richest poppy flow'rs; 
For slumber drives all cares away, 

And pictures happier hours. 

Yes, flow'rs have tones. God gave each 
one 

A language of its own; 
And bade the simple flower teach 

Where'er its seeds are sown. 

Fannie Bond. 



TRANSIENTNESS. 

As all on earth must pass away 
Like mist before the morning sun, 

So neither joy nor youth will stay, 
To cheer us till our course is run. 

I wander through the meadows green, 
And seek for flowers sweet and dear; 

But nowhere are bright flowers seen, 
Their bloom is gone and naught left 
here. 

I listen oft to many a bird 

That lonely sings among the trees, 

But where's the one of all that herd 

Whose song did never fail to please? 

I look up to the heav'ns and see 

Clouds upon clouds, one gorgeous mass, 

Yet they are not the same to me 
As those I saw in childhood pass. 



Transientness. 119 

I call the names of friends once dear, 
The good and true, oh! where are they? 

And Echo answers : "On their bier, 
Still brighter than the orb of day." 

Stay, stay, my weary heart, thy throbs, 
Thou also will soon cease to beat ; 

This life is but a dream of sobs, 
And waking we join Death's retreat. 

K. McCarthy. 



THE WARRIOR'S VOW. 

Alone he stood upon the beach, 

A tear was in his eye, 
And from his manly, robust breast 

He heaved a painful sigh. 

Far in the woody dell beneath 
Dwell those to him most dear, 

Within a little cottage white, 
Beside a brooklet clear. 

He thinks of childhood's happy days, 

When at his fathers knee 
He heard of bloody wars and strife, 

And danced about in glee. 

To think that he one day would wield, 

In battle and in war, 
The wonderful old family sword, 

The sword his father wore. 

But as these thoughts pass, one by one, 
Before his languid eyes, 



The Warriors Vow, 121 

He thinks of his dear native land, 
Which now in bondage lies. 

He thinks of all the loving ones, 

His only sister frail ; 
Of all the friends, of childhood's years, 

Who dwell in that sweet dale. 

And of the little cottage, hid 

Among the ivy green, 
Surrounded by the rose-buds gay, 

And climbing flower-bean. 

And by the mighty God of War, 

The fierce, unbaffled Mars, 
He swore that he'd be free again 

Beneath his native stars. 

So, waving high his feathered plume, 

He dashed away the tears, 
And mounting hurriedly his steed, 

He quickly disappears. 

Mamie Hoggson. 



IF WE WOULD. 

If an effort we'd make 

All harsh words to suppress. 

How much trouble we'd save ! 
How much sorrow redress ! 

When our tongues are inclined 
False reports to spread round, 

If we would but reflect, 

Oh ! how different they'd sound. 

If we would but delay 
When we censure the weak, 

There'd be many more souls 
A Redeemer would seek. 

If each one would but strive 
All the good to perform, 

Which does lay in his power, 
Then would none feel the storm. 



If We Would. 123 

Oft our friends we hear say 

When they're asked, toward the good, 
To contribute their part, 

That they would if they could. 

They on this lay the blame, 
When 'tis not if they could ; 

To their shame be it said ; 

That, they could if they would. 

On that last dreadful day, 

When our record we fill, 
Our dear Lord will regard, 

Not our power, but will. 

K. McCarthy. 



THE FORGET-ME-NOT. 

'Mong all the flow'rs God doth bestow- 
On sinful mortals here below, 
There's one, in quiet nooks that lives, 
Which unto us most pleasure gives. 

Shall I its name to you impart? 
" Forget-me-not." Tis to the heart 
A soothing balm ; it calms all fear, 
And unto God the soul draws near. 

What makes this flow'r to me so dear 
Is that I, as a child, did hear 
My mother tell concerning it 
When I upon her knee did sit. 

The first forget-me-nots I found 
Were some which grew upon a mound 
Beside a brooklet, swift and clear, 
Whose waters had to me grown dear. 



The Forget-me-not. 125 

Enraptured at this lovely sight, 

I toward them sprang, with laughter light, 

And very soon my hat did fill 

With those I plucked from off the hill. 

I then said unto mother dear : 
" Oh ! see this lovely flower here ; 
It seems brought from some fairy bower. 
Tell me the name of this sweet flower ! " 

Then said my mother unto me: 

" Each one who does this flow'ret see, 

Although he only takes a look, 

Is charmed as with a much-loved book. 

" When God this little flower made, 
He must have on it blessings laid, 
That it can so much joy bestow, 
And rouse man from the depth of woe. 

" O child ! whose thoughts are kindly laid, 

Has not our Lord this fair world made ? 
11 



126 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Did He not give us glen and dale, 
And grass and forests, hill and vale? 

" All these we owe unto His grace, 
And ev rything upon earth's face ; 
A thousand flow rs He caused to spring, 
That we might off rings to Him bring. 

"For all the gifts which we receive, 
He only asks that we believe, 
And think of Him, with grateful mind, 
Whene'er one of these gifts we find. 

" When earth with all things else He'd 
graced, 
One little, simple flow'r He placed 
In spots more shaded than the rest, 
And where 'twould be a welcome guest. 

"O flow'ret ! how soon man forgets 
The favors God for him begets ! 
With rapture goes he through the fields, 
But unto God he ne'er appeals. 



The Forget-me-not. 127 

4( O flow'ret rare ! then make man know 
The duty he to God does owe, 
And say : ' Though not so great my debt 
As yours, my Lord I'll ne'er forget' 



4t 'Tis therefore that this flower got 
The name it bears — forget-me-not." 
Then closed my mother: "You should 

know 
From this the duty that you owe. ' 



I spoke with tears — a truthful sign : 
" Beloved mother, mother mine, 
God will be ne'er forgot by me, 
But I to Him will thankful be." 



That mother has long gone to rest, 
But still her teaching fills my breast : 
My childhood's promise I will keep 
Until within my grave I'll sleep. 



128 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Gods voice to me speaks from this flowV ? 
Which takes me back to childhood's hour ; 
It seems to say \ " Whate'er thy lot 
In life may be, forget me not." 

K. McCarthy* 



WA WA. 

To my Baby Brother. 

With his prattling little tongue 
All the household he does cheer. 

He's the sunshine of our home ; 
All are happy when he's near. 

With his short and auburn curls 
Dancing round his merry face, 

Covered by a sundown great 

That from him the sunbeams chase ; 

Running o'er the meadows green 
Till his feet are bathed with dew, 

He's a merry little sprite ; 
Happier than he are few. 

Panting and all out of breath, 

What red rose will match his cheeks, 
As, with weary little steps, 

He the lovely wild flow'r seeks? 



130 Miscellaneous Poems. 

With his ruby lips upheld, 

Dearer than the rubies bright, 

And his dancing, large, blue eyes, 
Brighter than the stars of night, 

He a kiss from papa claims, 
Stretching forth his little arms ; 

And to papa that sweet kiss 
Is a world with all its charms. 

And when twilight slowly falls, 
Free from danger and from fears, 

In his little nightslip dressed, 
Playfully his couch he nears. 

Then his little hands he lifts 
Ere his eyelids close in sleep, 

Asks God to protect him now, 
Far from him all danger keep. 

Mamie Hoggson. 



STRA Y ARRO WS. 

It chanced that Fate should idle be, 

And from her airy throne 
Looked down upon the peaceful earth, 

On which the pale moon shone. 

And taking, from her quiver gay, 
Some arrows strong and bright, 

She sent them swifter than a bird 
On its aeriel flight. 

One pierced a lonely mothers heart, 

As, bending low her head, 
She looked into her child's pale face, 

And saw that life had fled. 

In anguish does she raise her voice 

To God's almighty throne, 
And begs for mercy in that hour, 

In which her all has flown. 



132 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Upon the bloody battle-field 

A noble youth has fell ; 
Fate's arrow pierced him to the heart, 

The red blood naught can quell. 

A sister is awaiting now 

That brother true and brave; 

And while she sighs and prays for Jiim, 
They lay him in the grave. 

" How dark and gloomy is our home ! n 
Some children said to me ; 

" For mother dear has left us now, 
To live eternally." 

E'en here Fates arrow pierced its way y 
And caused a painful stroke ; 

A loved one has departed now, 
A bright home-circle broke. 

M. HOGGSON. 



THE SNOW-FLAKE. 

From the clouds, in a region of cold, 
With my sisters, bright snowflakes, I've 
flown. 
I was tossed through the streets of the 
wold ; 
By each passing swift draught I was 
blown. 

I have passed by the gayest of gay, 
And where merriment rang on the air ; 

I have passed by the warrior gray, 
By the maiden so charmingly fair. 

I have passed by the children at play, 
While their innocent laughter was heard ; 

Yes, I passed and was blown far away 
With the speed of a beauteous bird. 

I have passed by the mother in tears, 

As so sadly she wept o'er her child ; 
12 



134 Miscellaneous Poems, 

For he'd grown old in sin more than 
years, 
He had grown all so wayward and 
wild. 

I have passed by the father in joy, 
As he folded his children in love, 

And then taught them how grace to employ ; 
For 'tis sent from our Father above. 

Now I rest, as an emblem of life 

When 'tis tossed by strange Fortune's 
dark wave ; 

Through the joy and the trials and strife, 
I now rest on a little, lone grave. 

Minnie Mosher. 



THE MANIAC. 

Her eyes are wild, and fitful lights 
Leap from their depths by starts; 

She holds a something to her breast, 
And from it never parts. 

They say it is a little dress 

Which once her child had worn ; 

And since his death she nothing knows, 
Except for him to mourn. 

When winds in fury howl around, 

She wanders in the night, 
And screams, in tones so madd'ning, at 

The lightnings lurid light. 

And chases she the sweeping blast, 
While loudly ring her cries : 

" Ye winds, ye winds, ye've stol'n my 
child ; 
He with you ever flies. 



136 Miscellaneous Poems. 

" He's mine ! he's mine ! Return to me 
My child you've taken away. 

Yell not? But, ha! I'll chase you till 
The light does herald day. 

" My child ! Ha, ha ! " thus laughs she 
loud, 

And through the midnight wild 
She calls, and calls on howling winds : 

" Restore, restore my child ! " 

M. MOSHER. 



RECONCILIA TION. 

When you have through a word, 
Said in haste, lost a friend, 

Call him back to your heart, 

Though your pride it may rend. 

Oh ! remind him of past, 
Happy days now no more. 

Those dear joys were too great ; 
They have passed on before. 

Oh ! then ask him if years 

Of companionship gay 
And sincerity fond 

With one word pass away. 

Tell him, then, that, within 

The great depths of your heart, 

Friendship's light still burns on, 
Yet undimmed by griefs dart. 



138 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Hill and dale, every spot 

Where we both were once known, 
Now in anger demand : 

" Where's your friend ? Why alone ? - 

When you have through a word, 

Said in haste, lost a friend, 
Call him back to your heart, 

Though your pride it may rend. 

Kate McCarthy. 



THE BOUQUET. 

Kindest friends, within the walls 
Of Our Lady's school so dear 

Blooms a sweet bouquet of flow 'rs ; 
I will tell you of them here. 

One, a brown-eyed Marigold, 

Loved by • all for cheerful smiles ; 

We will call this Fannie's flow'r, 

Filled with cunning, winning wiles. 

There's a blue Forget-me-not, 

Nestling Marigold beside ; 
This we'll call sweet Blanche's flow'r, 

Glowing with her Southern pride. 

Then the next, a Hyacinth, 
Brightens all the air around; 

This, Johanna's flow'ret dear, 
In each woody dell is found. 



140 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Tiny Mamie's Violet — 

Modest, though her worth is known ; 
And in this bouquet of flow'rs, 

To each one so dear she's grown. 

Still another — yet I pause ; 

This one, mayhap, you have guessed ; 
For 'tis there within those walls, 

Nestling somewhere with the rest. 

And affection's bond unites 
All in one for Sister's sake, 

And I ask her with the rest 
This last little flow'r to take. 



Minnie Mosher. 



MY NATIVE BA Y. 

My native bay is calm and bright, 

As e'er it was of yore, 
When in the days of sunny youth 

I stood upon its shore. 

The sky is glowing, clear and blue, 

As oft in youth it smiled, 
When all the sky and all the sea 

Were placid, bright, and mild. 

How oft has darkness since then dwelt 
O'er sky's vast, boundless way! 

How oft have rude winds woke its waves, 
And tossed each ship like spray. 

Now, after years of absence passed 

In sorrow and in pain, 
I once again return to find 

My bay and sky the same. 



142 Miscellaneous Poems. 

The darkness and the storms from both 
Have since all passed away, 

And now, as in fair youth, once more 
It is my native bay. 

Oh ! that, like it, when toil is o'er, 
And griefs and woes have passed, 

The pangs of hearts may then subside, 
And bring sweet peace at last. 

Johanna Guntman. 



MY SOUTHERN HOME. 

My dear, my sunny Southern home, 
Thy mem'ries round me cling, 

And from the long and dreary past 
Thy hallowed scenes I'll bring. 

Full well do I remember now 

Thy balmy zephyrs, cool, 
That o'er my heated brow did blow 

When coming home from school. 

I need to only ope the gate 
That shuts from me the past, 

To view again thy blooming woods, 
With all their gorgeous cast. 

The rippling waters still I hear 
Of merry, babbling brooks, 

As gleefully they dashed along 
In many bends and crooks. 



T44 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Thy warbling birds, with plumage gay 
And blithesome, happy songs, 

I see again in all their pride, 
In num'rous joyous throngs. 

Their soft, sweet twitt ring still I hear, 
As when, in days gone by, 

They sang at eve their merry tuires 
Ere to their nests they'd fly. 

The old, dear homestead, too, I see, 

Each cool and airy room ; 
Piazzas broad, o'erhung with vines 

In richest, brightest bloom. 

Oft, when a child, I loved to roam 
O'er all the house and land; 

And, when fatigued, I'd seek the woods. 
With all their trees so grand. 

I'd wander through the misty groves, 
And cull the fairest flow'rs 



My Southern Home. 145 

That blossom 'neath the South's blue sky, 
Within her fairest bow'rs. 

I've watched my home at morning's dawn, 

All bathed in sunlight clear, 
As o'er the distant, lofty hills 

The sun did bright appear. 

At ev'ning's calm and holy hour, 

I've also watched it then, 
As, in the west, that same bright sun 

Bathed it in light again. 

I see it now, in fancy's eye, 
The same as in those days — 

My dear, sweet, sunny Southern home, 
Oft cooled by fountain's sprays. 

Blanche Thompson. 



EPITHALAMIUM WITH FLOWERS. 

The flowVs fit emblems are of joy ; 

Far more than words do they express. 
Tis therefore that to-day I bring 

These simple ones with this address : 

With peace and happiness are fraught 
My wishes for you both to-day, 

And may bright Fortune's fairy charms 
Surround you with Contentment's ray. 

The feelings I cannot express 

By which my heart is moved to-day, 

But may the One who reigns above 
These feelings to your hearts convey. 

Oh ! may your pathways e'er through life 
Be strewn with choicest, brightest flow'rs, 

And may you never feel the pain 
Which oft is caused by evil powers. 



Epithalamhcm with Flowers, 147 

Upon your pathways, through Gods will, 
May many thousand flowers bloom, 

And from your presence e'er dispel 

All thoughts of sorrow, grief, and gloom. 

Unlike these flowers, may true love 

Remain with each while life does last ; 

May not Time's devastating hand 
Its chilling blight o'er either cast. 

But may it stronger grow with age, 
And prove to each, in after-life, 

A solace in declining years, 
A barrier 'gainst ev'ry strife. 

The flow'rs of love you weave in life, 
May they your brows in death entwine, 

And teach you resignation's words: 

" Thy will, O Lord ! — -not ours, but thine." 

Kate McCarthy. . 



THE CHILDREN IN THE WOODS. . 

Once on a time three children fair, 
Who should have gone to school with 

j°y, 

Stood still, condemning learning rare 
As fun most sad for girl and boy. 

Their foolish minds did make them say : 
"Oh ! let us to the woods now go. 

The animals do naught but play ; 

Come, they will play with us, we know." 

Then off into the woods they went, 
And asked the birds and beasts to play ; 

But they, upon their labors bent, 

Replied : " We have no time to stay." 

The butterfly to them did say : 

" To lazy be I've no desire; 
The work I have is, on this day, 

A bridge to build across the mire." 



The Children in the Woods. 149 

The ant, so diligent and neat, 

Was passed, you can imagine why ; 

The bee, who next they chanced to meet, 
They fled from with a heavy sigh. 



The little mouse to them replied : 
"For winter I must gather food." 

" And I," the little white dove cried, 
" Must build a nest for my young 
brood." 



The hare to them did only wink, 
And said, " I to the brook must hie 

To wash my mouth and take a drink." 
And after this he hurried by. 



Strawberries, too, did lightly say : 
" We also have our work to do ; 

We occupy this pretty day 

In ripening fruit much liked by you." 

13 



150 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Then by them came a young cuckoo, 
Whom they did think would be 
their guest. 

They said to him: " Oh ! surely you 
Will stop with us awhile to rest ? " 

"I beg your pardon," he replied, 
" I must prepare a feast to-day." 

He this to them said with all pride, 
And, bowing stiffly, flew away. 



Then spoke they to the brooklet sad : 
" Why do you ne'er move from 
your bed ? 

Come, play with us; be with us glad." 
"Why so? " surprised the brooklet said. 

" O fie ! the lazy children see : 

They think that I have naught to do, 

When I at rest can never be, 

But move all day, and all night too." 



The Children in the Woods. 151 

So wise a lesson having learned 
From denizens of wood and dale, 

They then to home and school returned, 
And cried : " To Industry all hail ! " 

K. McCarthy. 



LEAVES FROM NATURE. 

In ev'ry spot, where'er we look, 
Were sure to find from Nature's book 

A leaf of brightest hue ; 
And even in the mossy dell 
Where blooms the modest, sweet bluebell 

We see, at least, a few. 
And so I've gathered here to-day 
Some leaves I found upon the way. 



FIRST LEAF. 

I wandered from the busy town, 

And sought the country's shade ; 
I roved, for pleasure, up and down, 

And through each verdant glade ; 
I paused and gazed upon a stream, 

A little, murmuring brook, 
Which played with ev'ry shining beam 

And danced through ev'ry nook. 



Leaves from Nature, 153, 

'Twas only, though it seemed a dream, 
A leaf from Nature's book. 



SECOND LEAF. 

I saw, among the passing crowd, 

A face as fair as light ; 
Her life had known no leaden cloud, 

Her happiness to blight, 
But smiles played o'er her ruby lips 

Like zephyrs over flow'rs 
As pure as dew the bee e'er sips 

In summer's balmy hours. 
She ne'er had known a bitter care, 

'Twas joy in ev'ry look, 
And she, the fairest of the fair — 

A leaf from Nature's book. 



THIRD LEAF. 

I heard the thunder crash along 
The mountain's lofty peak, 



154 Miscellaneous Poems. 

And echoing its awful song 

In many a horrid shriek; 
This mighty voice which crushed the 
trees, 

And e'en the hill-tops shook, 
Was, with the summers gentlest breeze, 

A leaf from Natures book. 



FOURTH LEAF. 

I gazed into a deep abyss 

Where darkness reigned supreme ; 
Its depths the sunlight could not kiss, 

Nor give it one stray beam ; 
And though I could not pierce the shade, 

Nor to the centre look, 
Yet, it all Natures laws obeyed — 

A leaf of her vast book. 

O'er all the world we look and see 

The beautiful and bright, 
Yet all, O Nature! bow to thee, 

Acknowledge thy just right; 



Leaves from Nature. 1 5 5 

The billows on the bounding sea 

Are foam-tipped leaves of thine : 
The rock, which rises proud and free, 

Is formed by thy design ; 
The violet on mossy bed 

Is e'er a leaf of thine, 
With twinkling stars which overhead 

So brilliantly shine. 
And so, where'er our eye may look 
We see the leaves of Nature's book. 

Minnie Mosher. 



VALOR AND VIRTUE. 

Valor and Virtue, with hands clasped by 
love, 

Came to our earth bright and gay ; 
Valor and Virtue the household defended, 

Both of them fought in the fray. 

Widows and orphans, when kneeling in 
prayer, 

Blessed these two friends fair and brave ; 
Valor the soldier encouraged in battle, 

Virtue kind smoothed the lone grave. 

Valor, a youth with a proud, noble 
bearing, 

Scorning the lowly and weak; 
Virtue, a maid so entrancingly lovely, 

Looking so gentle and meek. 

Valor has strengthened the soldier in 
combat ; 
Virtue upheld the lone wife. 



Valor and Virtue. 157 

Valor has shone in the warfare of nations ; 
Virtue, in spiritual strife. 

Valor and virtue are praised by all true 
ones : 
Valor is loved for his pow'r; 
Virtue is loved for her own modest treas- 
ures ; 
They are the tree and the flow'r. 

M. MOSHER. 

14 



DREAMS OF THE PAST. 

There are times in our lives when the mind 

Loves, in fancy, to roam 
To the scenes of the past, there to find,. 

Free from sorrow, a home. 

With what joy we retrace those loved 
scenes, 

Half effaced from our hearts ! 
For, in sorrow and woe, they're the means 

Of repelling griefs darts. 

In these past recollections we find 
There are some full of love, 

As the mem'ry of friends, true and kind, 
Who may now dwell above. 

Oft we're wont, at the close of the year,. 
To indulge in these dreams; 

All our joys and our sorrows appear, 
So like truth it all seems. 



Dreams of the Past. 159 

In bright robes, and on golden -tipped 
wings, 

Fancy oft takes a flight ; 
Of the past, in our dreams, she oft sings 

On the old year's last night. 

It is then that she paints to mine eyes 

All the joys of the past, 
And to gratitude true she gives rise, 

Which with life will e'er last. 

K. McCarthy. 



WHY HAS THE GOOD BEING SPARED 
ME SO LONG? 

Respectfully dedicated to S. S. Addison. 

Why has the Good Being spared me so 
long? 
Why have I toiled through the path of 
this life? 
Why have I seen all my kindred depart ? 
Why do I fight all alone in the strife ? 

Would I could span the dark, misty stream, 

death ! 

Would I could list to the beautiful song 

Sung by the angels above, in high heav'n ! 

Why, alas ! why has God spared me so 

long ? 

Brother, repine not; if hard be thy lot, 
Brighter, then brighter, thy heav'nly 
crown. 



Why has the Good Being spared me f 1 6 1 

Ev'ry good deed is recorded above ; 

Courage, then, brother, and be not cast 
down. 

Look at the suffering ones pleading for aid, 
Look at the sinning ones seeking for truth ; 

Then, for the sake of the crucified God, 
Show them the fount of perpetual youth. 

Work for His people, and work for thy 

faith ; 

God will reward thee, O brother ! in heav'n. 

Fear not the task, but be noble and brave ; 

Bless, then, my brother, each year He has 

giv'n. 

Minnie Mosher. 



SMILES. 

There are many things which cheer us 
By their cunning, pleasant wiles ; 

There are gifts which all can give us- 
'Tis their kind and loving smiles. 

Children's smiles — so winning, joyous !- 
Greet us when the day is o'er ; 

In their innocence, they seem like 
Glimpses from the golden shore. 

Smiles of manhood — how ennobling ! 

Bidding us to higher aim — 
Bidding us to scale the mountain, 

Reach the summit, grasp for fame. 

Smiles of womanhood — how cheering ! 

Helping us in hours of grief, 
Lifting from us care's great burden, 

Bringing weary hearts relief. 



Smiles. 163 

Age's smiles — how mild ! how gentle ! 

Calm, to all earths cares resigned, 
Wreathing withered lips with beauty, 

Seeming earth and heav'n combined. 

Loving smiles are always welcome, 
Always cheer the lonely heart ; 

Let us, then, be ever scattering 
Gems which sweetest joys impart. 



M. MOSHER. 



RELIANCE. 

In travelling over land and sea, 

My childhood's early life was spent; 

All dreams of youth soon fled from me, 
And hopes on which my mind was bent. 

In earnest deeds my life was spent, 
And many ups and downs I've borne ; 

And as I o'er life's pathway went, 
With every rose I plucked a thorn. 

And hopes which hitherto seemed bright, 
Before my eyes, I now saw pale ; 

Twas then that tear-drops dimmed my 
sight, 
When I would lift the future's veil 

Without advice, sad and alone, 

A youthful maiden I then stood, 
Without a friend to call my own, 

And guide my steps from bad to good. 



Reliance. 165 

Yet still the power I possessed 

Of trusting God with all my heart 

Remained 'with me, thus giving rest 
And warding off each sadd'ning dart. 

Alone, deserted, forced to seek 
My livelihood from day to day, 

Is it a wonder that my cheek 

Grew pale like to the moon's cold ray? 

I did not wail, I did not cry, 

Although my heart would almost break ; 
I would dream on, and time would fly 

As swift as boat on placid lake. 

O silly child ! I then did say, 

Employ your talents, yourself defend ; 

Trust in your God where'er your way, 
And all will prove well in the end. 

And with this thought to me returned 
Both peace and joy, with banners furled; 



1 66 Miscellaneous Poems, 

And since that hour I've trouble spurned, 
And looked with joy into the world. 

Each day I've had unto me sent 
My daily bread — a heavenly deed. 

Although through. twenty years I've went, 
I always found help in my need. 

And He who thus kept me alive 
Will ever watch me from above, 

So long as I do earnest strive 
To prove deserving of his love. 

Oh ! then, this little proverb true, 
Of so much good in life to me, 

Kind reader, I bestow on you, 

And hope you will its greatness see. 

Oppressed by poverty and care, 

Do you not find work for your hand? 

Your troubles — are they hard to bear ? 
Stand you alone in this wide land? 



Reliance. 167 

Complain not; raise your prayers to Him 
Who dwells within the golden gate; 

Have faith, and let it not grow dim, 
For He it is who holds your fate. 

If this you do, you soon will find 
That he who in the Lord does place 

His faith and trust, with all his mind, 
His hope founds on a steady base. 

Kate McCarthy. 



PICTURES IN THE CIOUDS. 

'Neath the clouds which floated outward, 
With their varying hues so bright, 

Sat a woman, careworn, weary, 
And her locks were silver white. 

Round her played the little children, 
But she heeded not their glee ; 

On the clouds she e'er seemed gazing,. 
Them alone she seemed to see, 

Till a merry boy ceased playing, 
As he said, with childish stare : 

" Grandma, why is it you're looking 
Always at the clouds up there ? " 

"Oh!" she answered, "little Charlie, 

What I see you cannot tell ; 
Long ago, in childhood, loved I 

On the clouds to gaze so well. 



Pictures in the Clouds. 169 

*• 

4 'But the pictures which I see there 
Now seem altered to my sight ; 
But, my Charlie, what see you in 
Yonder little cloudlet bright?" 

"There's a ship," he answered, smiling, 
" Sailing all the ocean o'er, 
And a man is standing, waving 
Farewell, from the quitted shore " 

"Yes, I see," said grandma, musing, 
"There's a ship with stately mast; 
But the man is beck'ning to her, 
She is coming in so fast. 

41 Look again, my little Charlie, 

For the scene is changed to me ; 
Look and tell me, dearest Charlie, 
What is it that there you see ? " 

■" Oh ! I see a gallant army, 

Marching out to join the fray, 



170 Miscellaneous Poems. 

* 

With their armor and their helmets, 
With their swords all flashing gay." 

" I, too. see a host of warriors, 

But they're crowned, their victory's won ; 
And it seems bright palms they're waving ; 
All their fighting now is done." 

Thus the child and grandma sat there, 
Gazing on the flitting clouds, 

And the pictures toward them floated — - 
Pictures came to them in crowds. 

To the boy they all seemed starting 
Toward some far-off, sought-for goal ; 

To dear grandma all seemed coming, 
Where sweet peace is giv'n each souL 

Minnie Mosher. 



VOICES IN THE SHELLS. 

In sweet joy I have roved by the side of the 
sea ; 
I have watched the blue waves come and 

go, 
As they'd toss in their play, with their gentle, 
light touch, 
The pink shells on the beach to and fro. 

I have listened to voices, so strange and so 
drear, 
Which from innermost depths seemed to 
well ; 
Some will say 'tis the roaring of waves that 
we hear 
When we hark to the sound in each shell. 

But to me 'tis far diff'rent ; oh ! yes, for it 
seems 
That the moans of those lost in the main 



172 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Are e'er echoed, in memory sad, by the 
shells, 
Which alone chant their funeral strain. 



I have heard in the shells the most mourn- 
ful of tones, 
To me seeming a mother's last cry, 
As the waves tore the child from her fond, 
loving arms, 
And then bore it away there to die. 

I have heard, as it seemed, the bold sailor's 
last moan, 
As he sank in the briny blue deep, 
Ere the waves choked the prayer which he 
muttered for aid, 
Ere he slept his unbroken last sleep. 

I have heard in the shells the poor fisher- 
man's calls, 
When his bark by the rough waves was 
tost ; 



Voices in the Sjiells. 1 73 

Like a bird, for a while from their fury it fled, 
Then it trembled and stopped and was 
lost. 

Oh ! 'tis strange, dreary sounds which I hear 
in the shells, 
As I rove by the shore of the sea, 
And I think that perhaps in some future time 
they 
May a requiem sad chant for me. 

M. MOSHER. 



15 



THE KISS. 

"And he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying : ' Whomsoever 
I shall kiss, that is He : hold Him fast.'" 

The sacred token of a kiss 

Was used by all to show 
Their mutual love, the holiest tie 

Which joins our hearts below. 

And yet the Saviour of the world 

Was by this sign betrayed, 
As in affection's garb was hate 

By Judas vile arrayed. 

Search records of the greatest crimes, 

Of treach'ry e'er so deep, 
And you will see e'en villains did 

This sign most sacred keep. 

It makes my life-blood to congeal, 
I shudder with affright, 



i75 



The Kiss. 

Whene'er reflecting what was done 
Upon that fearful night. 

Had Judas struck his Lord, or tore 
Him from His friends apart, 

Hypocrisy would not have stained 
The traitors deep -dyed heart. 

Since then a kiss no more is held 

As sacred as before, 
And all the human race have cause 

That kiss to e'er deplore. 

M. MOSHER. 



THE MOTHERS WATCH. 

Oh ! had this broken watch the pow'r 

To tell its story here, 
Perhaps 'twould call from hidden cells 

A sympathizing tear. 

It seemed a sacred thing to her 
Whose heart is still and cold ; 

And if I may past's curtain raise, 
Her history I'll unfold : 

When but a blue-eyed babe she'd list 
Its measured "tick" to hear; 

And oft 'twas giv'n into her hands 
By mamma kind and dear. 

The first sweet word her rosy lips 

E'er uttered here below 
Was "watch," for from its tick there seemed 

A ceaseless joy to flow. 



The Mother s Watch. 177 

From it, in blithesome childhood's years, 

She first did learn to count; 
She held e'en yet the watch to be 

Her pleasures' very fount. 

And when the bud of childhood o ped 

To womanhood's bright rose, 
The watch e'er told the morn's approach 

And ev'ning's gentle close. 

It told the merry, laughing hours 
Which hovered o'er her way ; 

It told of innocence and joy' 4 
Which made her life so gay. 

But, ah ! our earthly path must be 
Oft strewn with thorns of woe ; 

The watch, it told the hour which made 
Her motherless below. 

She parted with her childhood's home 
To seek her daily bread, 



178 Miscellaneous Poems. 

And then the watch told hours of grief 
To her whose lone heart bled. 



And when the path of vice seemed smooth, 
She silenced conscience' prick, 

But, oh ! she could not silence e'er 
The faithful watch's tick. 



It then recalled the wav'ring one, 

And virtue was her choice ; 
For in the watch's constant sound 

She heard her mother's voice. 

But soon her life was almost spent, 
And death, so cold, appeared, 

And yet in dying moments still 
The watch the suff'rer cheered. 

And when to realms of endless bliss 

Her spirit winged its way, 
The watch was sold, by stranger's hand, 

Her burial to defray. 



The Mothers Watch. 1 79 

But, like a heart of friends bereft, 

As if of grief, it broke ; 
Why should it tell the hour when she 

No more on earth awoke? 

M. MOSHER. 



LITTLE PA UL. 

One cold, bright winter's night he came, 

This little one so dear, 
To lighten all our hearts and paths, 

And lone fireside to cheer. 

His beaming, cunning, bright blue eyes 

Soon learned to slyly wink, 
And in each echo of his laugh 

Seemed Cupid's binding link. 

His chubby, dimpled arms he'd throw 

Around our necks, and lay 
His sunny, curly head upon 

Our hearts, and talk so gay. 

His patt'ring footsteps could be heard 

Along the passage way, 
In haste to greet dear papa and 

To him a kiss convey. 



Little Paul. li 

He'd climb o'er mamma's rocking-chair, 
His cunning pranks to play ; 

He'd fondle and caress her kind 
Through all the live-long day. 

But soon a cloud fell o'er us all, 

And sad was ev'ry brow ; 
For God had sent His angels dear 

To rob us of him now. 

No more his merry laugh is heard, 
Resounding through the hall ; 

His darling little form now rests 
Where moonbeams o'er him fall. 



Go hide this tiny, cherub crib, 

And lay away his toys ; 
For Paul has gone to realms above, 

There God's gifts he enjoys. 

Blanche Thompson. 
16 



SILENT CITIES. 

Silent cities, silent grandeur, 
Meet our view on ev'ry side 

As we wander o'er the ruins 
Once so stately in their pride. 

Time, thou art a cruel monarch 
Causing all things to decay, 

Monuments of fame destroying, 
Dooming all to pass away. 

Once, O Nineveh ! thy towers 

Rose so proudly toward the sky ; 

Now in chaos dark and gloomy, 
Thou, bright Nineveh, dost lie. 

Why, ah! why, o'er all thy greatness, 
Does sad silence hold her sway ? 

Tis the very stillness answers : 

"Time has doomed me to decay." 



Silent Cities. 183 

Where the hundred gates all brazen 
Which adorned thee, Babylon ? 

Where thy temples, hanging gardens ? 
They have all to ruins gone. 

Thou art, too, a silent city, 

Thou art Time's submissive slave ; 

All thy arts could never triumph, 
All thy arts could not thee save. 

Silent are the people's voices, 

Hushed by death's own stern command ; 
With their works thy children perished, 

Leaving only ruins grand. 

Thebes, thou city once so mighty, 
Where is all thy grandeur now ? 

Why this mournful pall of sadness 
Cov'ring o'er thy faded brow ? 

Art thou too, a silent city — 

Thou, who once was Egypt's pride ? 

Ah ! thy glory all hath vanished 
'Neath old Time's swift-flowing tide. 



184 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Vainly seek we for some token 
Of thy people ; but our calls, 

All unanswered, echo downward 
Through thy ruined, silent halls. 

Silence, silence o'er thee reigneth, 
And no human voice we hear, 

Only in the ghostly columns 

Sounds the night-owl's hoot most drear. 

O Jerusalem ! how noble 
Once thy holy temple rose. 

Now but o'er thy ruins shine the 
Sun's last rays, at ev'ning's close. 

All thy people now are scattered, 
And the cricket's chirp is heard ; 

Where once human footsteps wandered 
Flies the lonely forest bird. 

Silence, silence so oppressive, 
Reigns with undisputed right ; 

O Jerusalem ! thy error 

Caused this awful, withering blight. 



Silent Cities. 185 

Silence reigns o'er all the places 
Where His sacred feet have trod, 

And 'tis thrilling there to linger 
O'er the footsteps of our God. 

Proud Vesuvius, at thy foot are 
Two lost cities, silent, hushed. 

Herculaneum, all thy glory 

By this tyrant has been crushed. 

Pompeii, too, lies beside thee 
Silent, silent and entombed. 

Darkened all the brilliant tapers 
Which thee, cities, once illumed. 

Now thy conqueror stands in triumph, 

Silent, menacing, and grim, 
Looking, o'er thy silent ruins, 
M On clear Naples' grass-grown brim. 

But the moonbeams, silv'ry, gentle, 
Fall o'er marble white and cold; 

*Tis another silent city, 
Tis a city vast and old. 



1 86 Miscellaneous Poems. 

There, within its sombre limits, 
Lies full many a mossy bed. 

Trembling pause I, in the silence — 
O'er the city of the dead. 



M. MOSHER. 



SOME CHEERFUL SPOT. 

In ev'ry desert an oasis, 

In ev'ry heart one spot, 
Where echo sweetest, dearest voices 

Which say : " Forget me not." 

Though ruined hopes may moulder, lying 

Like tow'rs all fallen low, 
Yet still beneath a pillar broken 

Some verdant moss will grow. 

M. MOSHER. 



NO MORE. 

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS BY MISS KATE m'cARTHY. 

Twelfth Annual Commencement of the Institute of Our Lady, Balti- 
more, Md., July i, 1875. 

Deep is the pain that fills the mind 
When we o'er Memory's pages pore, 

And, written in bright letters, find 

These sad and bitter words : No more. 

If we a passing glance bestow 

Upon these words of sad farewell, 

We do not see the depth of woe 

That lies beneath their sounding knell. 

Deep down into our heart of hearts 
They sink like molten, fiery lead ; 

Most sure and steady are the darts 
Aimed at us by these words so dread. 

Our life's composed of light and shade, 
A varying scene of smiles and tears; 



No More. 189 

Bright flow'rs spring up, and then they 
fade ; 
We're ruled by hopes, and then by fear. 

Oft, when we think we're prospering most, 
And let our thoughts too swiftly soar, 

As if to mock our proudest boast, 

Grim Fate replies : " No more, no more ! " 

When once we've tasted pleasure's cup, 
We stop not till we've quaffed the whole ; 

To drink the dregs we take it up : 
" No more," we hear within the soul. 

Thus far we've gone on pleasure's track, 
When Fate forbids us on to soar, 

And thus we find our hopes cast back 
By those destroying words: "No more." 

We find it ever thus through life, 

That when we deem we happiest are, 

We're sure to meet some cause for strife, 

Which then our brightest dreams does 
mar. 



190 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Although these words oft cause great woe, 

Obliging us to sorrow bend, 
Yet oftentimes they joy bestow 

By telling us: "Pain's at an end." 

Some years in life seem very bright, 
Not being marred by any care ; 

The mem'ry of them gives delight, 

When looking back o'er scenes so fair. 

'Tis Eighteen Hundred Seventy-Five 
Will e'er be held by me most dear ; 

For Mem'ry e'er will keep alive 

Rememb'rance of my last school year. 

'Twas in this year our holy Pope 
His legates sent unto our land, 

To cheer his subjects with bright hope, 
And place a Cardinal o'er our band. 

Dear Maryland the honor bears 

Of having taught in youth the one 

Who now the Cardinal's red cap wears, 
By learning and by virtue won. 



No More. 191 

We'll hear it said no more with scorn, 
Our country can no Cardinal boast ; 
For of this stigma we are shorn 

Since he's been raised to this high post. 

'Tis therefore that we should rejoice 
O'er honor great and rare as this, 

And raise to heaven a thankful voice 
For granting us such cause for bliss. 

Among life's many happy hours, 

Our school-days hold the foremost rank; 

For then we dwell in sunny bow'rs 
And sorrow's page is all a blank. 

But ah ! alas ! these happy days, 

Like all life's pleasures, from us soar ; 

Stern Time repeats, in mournful lays: 
''Those days are passed to come no 
more." 

With sorrow then our hearts are rent 
When told that we must bid farewell. 



192 Miscellaneous Poems, 

Like reeds by fierce old Boreas bent,. 
We yield our will to this sad knell. 

To bid farewell to school-life dear 

Is not, indeed, an easy task ; 
For friends we have both true and near, 

And bound to them by friendships clasp. 

The anguish none can feel more keen, 
Of parting from these classic halls, 

Than I, who have no school e'er seen, 
Save these beloved and sacred walls. 

Now, as the sands so quickly flow 
From out Time's hour-glass to-day, 

They warn me I from hence must go, 
And, therefore, should my farewells say. 

Kind Reverend Father, pray accept 
Our thanks for your advice so wise ; 

It e'er will in our hearts be kept, 
And cherished as a holy prize. 



No More. 193 

Farewell, instructor of my soul; 

May you still teach religious lore, 
Until you reach that destined goal, 

Where ne'er are heard those words : No 
more. 

Farewell, kind mother iYTary true ; 

Encouragement we e'er did find 
From you our studies to pursue. 

Alas ! no more you'll cheer our mind. 

Beloved teachers, 'tis to you 

Our deepest, heartfelt thanks belong ; 
Our pleasure you have added to, 

And from each rose-bud plucked the 
thorn. 

No more within our class-room dear 
We'll hear your gentle voice explain 

The doctrines of some sage or seer, 
That we may thereby knowledge gain. 

Though privileged no more to hear 
You to us science's wise laws tell, 

17 



194 Miscellaneous Poems. 

Yet those you've taught we'll e'er hold 
dear. 
Farewell, loved teachers, oh ! farewell. 

Dear class-mate, you with whom I've 
sought 
The golden grains from knowledge's 
store, 
I cannot think Time's law as naught 
Which bids us knowledge gain no more. 

Together we will cull no more 

The flow'rs of learning true and wise ; 

They'll bloom for others seeking lore, 

But from our grasp their sweetness flies. 

Farewell, companion loved and true, 
My joys and sorrows you did share ; 

Farewell ! may angels e'er guard you, 
And shield your life from every care. 

Farewell, companions ; it is hard 

To part from you, with whom I've passed 



No More. 195 

So many hours by care unmarred, 
But which ; alas ! no more can last. 

Do not forget, companions dear, 
The two who end their school-life score 

To-day, but drop a silent tear 

O'er school-days passed to come no 
more. 

When kneeling in that sacred spot, 
Our Convent Chapel, that we love, 

Oh ! grant that we'll not be forgot 
In prayers you waft to heaven above. 

Kind fathers, friends, and parents dear, 
A short time since, and you heard naught 

Save welcomes spoken to you here, 

By those who have your pleasure sought. 

But these you'll hear no more to-day ; 

For now I hear the parting knell 
Which bids me that I now must say 

To each and all a last farewell. 



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